Corpse preserver



March 25, 1941. 1 BERGER 2,236,052

- conrsx PRESERVER Filed July 2'7, 1940. 2 Sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR. HERB ERT LBERGER ATTORNEY.

March 25, 1941. +1. l. BERGER con-'Psx' PnEsERvEn FIL-10d July 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.i1.

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INVENTOR. BY HERBERT I. BERGER ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 25a, `1941 UNITED STATES PATENT i OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a certain new and useful improvement in structures that may be descriptively designated as corpse preservers.

The invention has for its objects the provision of a structure of the type and for the purpose mentioned which may be cheaply, readily, and inexpensively constructed, which may be conveniently disposed embracingly about the body, and which is efficient in the performance of its stated. functions.

And with the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (two sheets)- Figure 1 is a perspective viewlof a corpsepreserving structure embodying my invention in preferred form;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the structure on approximately line 2-2, Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View of the structure on approximately line 3 3, Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a reduced perspective View of a slightly modified structure embodying my invention;

Figure 5 is a transverse `sectional view taken approximately on the line 5 5, Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a reduced perspective view of another slightly modified structure embodying my invention;

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line '1 -1, Figure 6;

Figures 8 and 9 are plan and side elevational views, respectively, of a telescopically collapsible structure embodying my invention, the structure being shown in fully extended condition for use;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the structure of Figure 8 in collapsed condition;

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line II-I I, Figure 8;

Figure 12 is a plan view of another slightly modified type of knock-down structure embodying my invention; and

Figure 13 shows the structure of Figure 12 in knocked-down position for convenient portability.

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate practical embodiments of my invention, I, l, designate opposite parallel side walls, and 2, 2, designate opposite parallel end walls, all integrally or otherwise joined together in the formation of an oblong rectangular open-bottom shell as shown, and of suitable dimensions for disposition to rest at thelower margin of said walls upon a table orthe like and enclosingly or embracingly about a corpse or body A.

For appearance and strength, said walls I, 2, are preferably beaded, as at a, along their upper and lower margins, and transversely spanning the chamber of the shell in longitudinally spaced relation and welded or otherwise preferably permanently fixed at their respective opposite ends to and upon the inner face of the opposite side walls I, I, are lengthwise arched shelves or supports 3 for a refrigerant in the form preferably of carbon dioxide or so-*called dryice, as at 4. Each shelf 3 is formed along its opposite longitudinal margins with upstanding lateral ice-retaining anges orwalls, as at b, and at and adjacent its opposite ends islformed with a multiplicity of apertures or perforationaas at 6, for passage of vapors from ice 4 downwardly into the chamber of the shell for preservation of the embraced body A.

Preferably a top wall in the form of a lid 'l is hingedly attached, as at 8, to a side wall I for swingably covering and concealing the several shelves 3, the lid I being preferably provided with a window or the like, as at '9, for exposing to vision the face of the embraced body A, substantially as shown.

As will be evident, the structure may be readily and easily disposed over and about the body A and is exceedingly efficient in the accomplishment of its intended functions.

The structure may be constructed of sheet metal or of any suitable plastic or of any other suitable sufficiently rigid material for possible repeated use or may be constructed of any suitable relatively stiff and inexpensive cardboard or the like that may economically be discarded following a single or individual use.

Further, if desired, the several walls le, 2e, of the shell may be of insulated type, as shown in Figure 5, and the refrigerant supporting shelves may be in the form of perforated strips 3e suitably so angularly fixed to the side and end walls le, 2a, to extend in transversely spaced relation longitudinally along the side walls Ia, as best seen in Figures 4 and 5.

Again, if desired, the shell may be of so-called knock-down or collapsible type for ready portability and to such end may include companion side wall sections Ib and end wall sections 2b each formed with cio-operable ears, as at Ill, for accommodating either permanent or removable pintles II, the side wall sections Ib being suitably provided upon their inner face with pockets I2 for detachably receiving the correspondingly flanged ends I3 of refrigerant supporting shelves 3b, all as best seen in Figures 6 and 7.

Or the structure may have a somewhat socalled wedge-shape contour, as shown in Figure 12:, and comprise companion U-shape members B, B, best seen in Figure 13, each provided or formed at the free end of its legs with ears, as at Ilia, for accommodating removable pintles Ila for detachably securing the members B, B, in structure formation.

Or, if desired, the structure may likewise comprise opposed U-shape members C, C', as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the member C being sized to t at its legs within the companion member C and having headed studs or thelikev |11-` working in longitudinal slots I5 in the side walls Ic of the member C, as best seen in Figure 9, for

facilitating telescopic movement of the one mem-- ber C relatively to its companion member C.

In both structures of Figures 8 and 12, the several shelves 3 are each preferably formed at its opposite ends with suitablyextended. hook members lli-for connection with the oppositeside walls of the structure, as best-seen in Figures 11 and- 12.

Thus the structure may be readily foldably or detachably collapsed for ease of portability and for convenient erection at the location selected for temporarily preserving the body A for burial, the several shelves 3b and. 3.c being quickly detached from the side walls of the particular structure and compactly assembled With the shellforming members during portability.

It is to be understood that other modifications and changes in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the structure may be made and substituted for those herein., shown and described without. departing from the nature and principle of myinvention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A portable corpse preserver including a plurality of companion members adapted for cooperation in the formation of an open-ended collapsible shell shaped for normal disposition about a body, and a plurality of refrigerantsupporting shelves disposed transversely, and detachably engaged with the side walls, of the shell in a longitudinally spaced series.

2. A corpse preserver including a pair of detachably joined U-shaped members providing when joined and extended an open-bottom shell shaped for refrigerant-supporting disposition about a body.

3. A corpse cooler comprising a pair of U-' further being provided at their opposite transo verse margins with releasably connectable interlocking means for joining the U-shaped members together in endwise connected relation in the formation of a'four-sided Wall-like enclosure,

and shelf means removably engageable with the l U-shapedV members when in enclosure-forming relation and adapted to extend transversely across said enclosure.

HERBERT I. BERGER. 

